KR101122482B1 - Method and apparatus for independent and efficient delivery of services to wireless devices capable of supporting multiple radio interfaces and network infrastructure - Google Patents

Abstract

Independently delivering services to a wireless terminal capable of supporting multiple air interfaces is accomplished by using a service management center (SMC). The SMC determines the service and parameter set based on the function and service profile of the wireless terminal.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDEPENDENT AND EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO WIRELESS DEVICES CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING MULTIPLE RADIO INTERFACES AND NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE}

The present invention relates to a wireless network, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for delivering a service to a wireless terminal capable of supporting a plurality of wireless interfaces and network infrastructure.

Current wireless systems are primarily based on voice services. It also delivers additional services such as Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and Instant Messaging Service (IMS) through the wireless system. It brings a lot of profit. This is complicated by the fact that these services are tightly tied to specific technologies and network infrastructures, and that users cannot receive these services by other radio access technologies than those supported by their terminals.

Various wireless local area networks (WLANs), such as IEEE 802.11, and wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN), such as IEEE 802.16 and 802.20, have been developed. Although there are functional differences between WLAN and WMAN, the term 'WLAN' herein is intended to include WLAN, WMAN and similar wireless networks. In particular, the development of WLANs such as IEEE 802.11, 802.16 and 802.20, and the use of such networks in existing wireless networks such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), code In an environment incorporating a variety of wireless terminals capable of supporting such a technology, such as Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA 2000), such a service is provided to a wireless terminal capable of supporting a plurality of wireless interfaces and a network infrastructure. It is desirable to deliver independently.

While these different services are typically accessed individually by the user, often the desired service type or service utilization may change dynamically. In addition to changes in the type of data that a single device transmits, such as data transmission during conversations, users often want to keep communicating but often want to change the device during a session. A simple example of this is when a user is in a live text message chat session on a fixed location computer and then continues in the live text message chat session while on the move. This continuation of a single session is particularly useful where the session is being used in connection with maintenance and recovery operations that include functions such as database connections. Changing such a device or communication service is difficult because the connections are almost different in configuration.

According to the present invention, it is possible to communicate with a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) having multiple RAT functions in a system comprising at least two networks having different RAT functions that are compatible with radio access technology (RAT) functionality. Select the RAT The WTRU establishes a connection with the first network, and the first network provides an address to the WTRU. A service management center (SMC) communicates with the WTRU and a service client / server (SC / S). The WTRU registers with the SMC for service, and the SMC retrieves the user profile of the WTRU sent to the SMC and sends a request for the WTRU's capabilities. The WTRU provides the SMC with information including a function and service profile in response to the request. The SMC determines a service to provide to the WTRU in response to the information and activates an SC / S to provide the service. The SC / S provides an acknowledgment to the SMC in response to the activation, and the SMC provides an acknowledgment to the WTRU in response to the acknowledgment.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention will be better understood. In these figures, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

1 is a schematic diagram of a basic network architecture embodying the principles of the present invention.

2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating a service registration sequence, illustrating exemplary routines used for proper service setting.

Hereinafter, a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) includes, but is not limited to, a user equipment, a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, all kinds of devices operable in a wireless environment, and the like. In addition, the base station includes, but is not limited to, an access point (AP) such as an IEEE 802.11 access point (AP), a node B, a site controller, and all kinds of interfacing devices in a wireless environment.

The present invention is independent of a service to a wireless terminal capable of supporting a plurality of wireless interfaces using a Service Management Center (SMC) 53 which determines a service and a parameter set based on the function and service profile of the wireless terminal. It provides a method and apparatus for delivery.

1 shows a network architecture 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. Network architecture 10 consists of a plurality of air interfaces 31-36 and a plurality of WTRUs. The air interface 31-36 includes a WLAN 31-34 and other kinds of wireless networks 34-36. Although one is shown for each kind, there are generally a plurality of air interfaces for each kind.

Wireless networks include General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) 34, Third Generation Partnership (3GPP) Networks 35, and 3GPP2 Networks 36, including associated wireless networks and Internet Protocol (IP) or X.25. It is connected to IP or another protocol network 51 through various transmission protocols. These network implementations are exemplary and other kinds of network implementations are available with the present invention.

WLANs 31-33 are a plurality of types of 802 WLAN or WMAN such as 802.11, 802.16 and 802.20, and other kinds of WLAN connections are also available. Each of these WLANs 31-33 is a wireless terminal illustrated in FIG. 1, that is, a wireless interface of a laptop 41 and a WLAN 32, 33 equipped with an 802.11 compatible WLAN card connected via the wireless interface of the WLAN 31. Access via two types of personal digital assistants (PDAs) 42, 43, cell phones 44 with data functions connected via GPRS network 34, and 3GPP networks 35 The cell phone PDA integrated device 45 and the cell phone 46 having a video image display screen connected through the 3GPP2 network 36. Of course, more than one kind of multiple air interfaces are available, and multiple WTRUs 41-46 may be associated with each air interface.

Various air interfaces 31-36 are connected to network connections 51, which may be IP networks or other suitable network connections. This connection may include the Internet or any other network available for one or more air interfaces 31-36.

The service management center (SMC) 53 communicates with the air interface 31-36 directly or via a network connection 51. SMC 53 determines a service and parameter set based on the function and service profile (user profile 56) of WTRUs 41-46. The service client / server (SC / S) 55 is available via a network connection 51 or directly through a wireless interface 31-36 as shown as a connection to the WLANs 31, 32. Communication function. It is also possible to provide the SC / S function 55 via the SMC 53 which provides a connection via the network connection 51. SC / S can provide various additional services such as messaging services including SMS, MMS and IMS, voice over IP (VoIP) information and data retrieval services, and entertainment services. The additional services provided by the SC / S function 55 may be specific information, data or entertainment services that can be provided regardless of the user's primary service provider and regardless of the SMC 53. In some cases, the optimal connection to a particular SC / S 55 may be independent of the SMC 53, but the SMC 53 may be used to connect a user to the SC / S 55 or to provide an SC / S ( In some cases, it may be desirable to oversee network connections between the user and the user.

Some WTRUs 41-46 are associated with a generic packet radio service (GPRS) 34, third generation partnership (3GPP) network (3GPP) via associated wireless networks and various transport protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP) or X.25. 35) or with a globally available data network, such as 3GPP2 network 36. The latter protocol provides a slow packet switched data service. Alternatively, communication may be via a specific service protocol, such as SMS Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) or similar service. For example, the laptop 41 of FIG. 1 is connected to an 802.11 WLAN 31 and an IP network in communication with a service management center (SMC) 53 that provides an interface to various service clients / servers (SC / S). Communicate with the GPRS network 34.

The system architecture allows the WTRUs 41-46 to know the presence of the SMC 53 and also to know the SMC 53 for wireless networks supporting the WTRU, such as the 802.11 network 31 supporting the device 41. have. In addition, any one of the WTRUs 41-46 may be used interchangeably with either WLAN 31-33 or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) 34-36 as long as it has an appropriate wireless communication interface.

SMC (53) is a Global System for Mobile Communications (global system for mobile communication: GSM) / general packet radio service (GPRS), WTRU, including radio access technology (RAT) capabilities, such as Bluetooth ^(? Bluetooth) and 802.11 (41- Maintain an updated profile of the functionality of 46). If these basic functions are changed, the SMC 53 is informed of the fact. For example, when a user removes an 802.11 card that enables communication with an 802.11 WLAN, the SMC 53 is notified of the fact and updates the profile 56. The invalidity and connection to the WTRU's network may also be maintained in profile 56, such as, for example, GSM-connection, GPRS-enabled, Bluetooth-recently valid, 802.11-unknown, and the like.

In addition, information about various services may also be maintained in the profile. These service factors include service costs and quality of service (QoS).

The wireless device, such as the device 41, may include a logical entity that communicates with the SMC 53 on the network side. This entity may be embedded in the device 41 or included in a universal integrated circuit card (UICC).

Initially, the WTRUs 41-46 are connected via one of the wireless networks 31-36. The user is compatible with his service profile, terminal functions such as processing power, memory availability, screen size and type (i.e. color, black and white), and device connection technologies such as bandwidth, bit rate, QoS, etc. Request a set. The SMC determines the best way to use RAT upon contact with the WTRU 41-46 or an external entity attempting to connect to the WTRU 41-46. For example, if an 802.11 WLAN network 31 is also available and is connecting over the GPRS network 34 if it meets the service criteria, the WTRUs 41-46 may request 802.11 connection establishment. In this case, GPRS can be removed or maintained. Alternatively, the WTRUs 41-46 may simultaneously connect over multiple RATs, in which case the SMC 53 may direct / switch traffic between these multiple RATs. In some cases, the SMC 53 may request the WTRU 41-46 to establish some RAT connection based on latency requirements if it does not know the state.

If the user decides to move to a different technical coverage area, the user updates the current state of the WTRUs 41-46. The user sends the update to the SMC 53. The SMC 53 updates the service profile 56 and requests the SC / S 55 to adjust the media / service parameters to the new environment and terminal functionality.

Once the service is coordinated, the SC / S 55 notifies the SMC 53 of the change, and the SCM 53 acknowledges the change and sends an acknowledgment report to the WTRU 41-46. The SMC 53 may determine RAT switching (hand off between RATs), depending on the environment and call source. SMC 53 may instruct WTRUs 41-46 to switch to a particular connection or to release the current connection and establish a new connection.

Likewise, a user in a session may wish to transfer that session to a different WTRU (WTRU 41-46). For example, assume that a session is established with a first device, eg, WTRU 41. The user may determine that it is convenient to physically move out of the WTRU 41 and continue the session with a different WTRU, such as a PDA 43. Then, it is possible to transfer the session to the PDA 43. If necessary, the SMC 53 may transfer the service 55 to another network connection 51 or through a connection via the SMC 53. Similarly, a session may begin in communication through SMC 53 and continue through SMC 53 or through another network connection 51. If the connection to the SC / S 55 is established directly via the network connection 51, the transfer can still be controlled using the SMC 53. This is different from handoff from a single WTRU 41-46 to a different service 31-36 in that it is a handoff from one WTRU to a different WTRU 43, such as from a WTRU 41 to a WTRU 43. . Since the service 55 provided through the network connection 51 is separated from the service management function 53, the ability of the user to use the network service is improved.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example sequence of service registration using GPRS networking 34. In FIG. 2, a user has a WTRU such as a laptop 41 or cell phone 44 capable of supporting communications with 802.11 and GPRS. WTRUs 41 and 44, acting as GPRS WTRUs 44, connect to GPRS network 34 (step 71). GPRS network 34 obtains the address of WTRU 44 (step 72). The WTRU 44 registers with the SMC 53 to receive the service (step 73), connects to the SMC 53 via the Internet 51, and informs the SMC 53 of the registration (step 74). The SMC 53 retrieves the stored user profile (step 75) and asks the user about the terminal function of the WTRU 44, including technology, terminal type, screen size, active service, etc. (step 76). The question (step 76) is forwarded to the WTRU 45 via the Internet (step 77). In response to this, when the user provides the terminal function and service profile (step 78), it is passed to the SMC 53 via the Internet 51 transmission (step 79).

If the SMC 53 determines the service set (step 81) and activates the SC / S 55 (step 85), the SC / S 55 sends an acknowledgment to the SMC 53 (step 86). If the SMC 53 forwards this acknowledgment (ACK) to the user device via the Internet 51 (step 87) (step 88), the service is established (step 91). The established service may be supported by the GPRS network 34 or the WTRU 44 may be switched to another network, such as the 802.11 network 31.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example sequence of service registration using the IEEE 802.11 network 31. The WTRU 41 connects to the 802.11 network 31 (step 101). The 802.11 network 31 obtains the IP address of the WTRU 41 (step 102). The WTRU 41 re-registers with the SMC 53 to update the service (step 103), and notifies the SMC 53 of the re-registration via the Internet 51 (step 104). The SMC 53 asks the user about terminal functions including technology, terminal type, memory, screen size, active service, etc. (steps 105 and 106). In response to the question, when the WTRU 41 provides the terminal function and service profile (step 107), it is forwarded to the SMC 53 via the Internet (step 108). If the SMC 53 updates the service / parameter set (step 109) and activates the SC / S 55 (step 111), the SC / S 55 sends an acknowledgment (ACK) to the SMC 53. (Step 115). When the SMC 53 forwards this acknowledgment (ACK) to the wireless device 41 via the Internet (step 116) and the network (step 117), the service is established (step 121).

As noted above, the SMC 53 may switch the wireless device to another network, such as from 802.11 WLAN to GPRS or from GPRS to 802.11 WLAN, depending on the functionality of the WTRU 41 and the services required. Service can be maintained for both networks.

2 and 3 illustrate the GPRS network 34 and the WLAN network 31, but are applicable to any wireless network, such as GPRS, 3GPP, 4G of the future.

Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in specific combinations, each feature or element may be used alone (without other features and elements of the preferred embodiments), alone or together with other features and elements of the present invention. Various combinations can be used without other features and elements of the invention.

Claims (48)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete In the method for independently providing a delivery service to a wireless terminal capable of supporting a plurality of air interfaces, Providing a communication service network; Providing a service management center in communication with the communication service network; Communicating over a plurality of air interfaces using the communication service network; Establishing communication with a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) over at least one air interface; And Communicating with the at least one air interface via the communication service network. The method of claim 17, The service management center delivers handoff information, Accordingly, the session provided to the first WTRU on the system communicating over the at least one air interface continues through handoff to a second WTRU. The method of claim 17, The service management center delivers handoff information, Accordingly, the session provided to the first WTRU on the system communicating over the at least one air interface is continued through handoff to the second WTRU by a different service having access technology functionality with the WTRU. To deliver delivery services. The method of claim 17, The service management center delivers handoff information, Accordingly, a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) on a system that communicates via the at least one air interface having access technology with the WTRU reroutes communication of the WTRU through a different service having access technology with the WTRU. A method of providing delivery service to a wireless terminal which is (reroute). The method of claim 17, Providing at least one service client / server (SC / S); Using the service management center to select a wireless interface based on a communication function of the WTRU and a communication characteristic between the WTRU and the SC / S. The method of claim 17, Determining service selection criteria; And Determining a service provided to the WTRU according to the service selection criteria. delete delete 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the service management center communicating with at least one of the first and second networks via an intermediate network. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the service management center communicating with the first and second networks via an intermediate network. A method of establishing communication links between a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) and a networked service using a plurality of radio acces technology (RAT), Establishing an initial communication link with the WTRU; Using the communication link to communicate between the WTRU and a service management center; Determining a profile of the WTRU, the profile including a RAT supported by the WTRU to provide the profile to the service management center; And Selecting a RAT providing a communication function with the WTRU, the function being dependent on a profile of the WTRU and a service available at a physical location of the WTRU; Accordingly, the service management center determines a service and a parameter set based on the function and service profile of the wireless terminal, And wherein the RAT functions are different and compatible with the RAT function of the WTRU. The method of claim 27, Providing at least one service client / server (SC / S); Using the service management center to select one of the communication links according to the RAT, the communication function of the WTRU and the communication feature between the WTRU and the SC / S. The method of claim 27, The service management center delivers handoff information, Accordingly, the session provided to the first WTRU on the system communicating over the communication link continues via handoff to a second WTRU. The method of claim 27, The service management center delivers handoff information, Accordingly, the session provided to the first WTRU on the system communicating over the communication link is continued through handoff to the second WTRU by a different service having access technology functionality with the WTRU. The method of claim 27, The service management center delivers handoff information, Thus, a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) on a system communicating over the communication link having a RAT function reroute the communication via a different service that also has a RAT function. The method of claim 27, Determining service selection criteria; And Determining a service provided to the WTRU in accordance with the service selection criteria. 33. The method of claim 32, Determining, by the WTRU, an evaluation factor from registering with the service management center; And Using the evaluation factor to determine a service provided to the WTRU in accordance with the service selection criteria. 33. The method of claim 32, Determining, by the WTRU, an evaluation factor from registering with the service management center; And Using the evaluation factor to determine a service provided to the WTRU in accordance with the service selection criteria as one of IEEE 802.11, 802.16 and 802.20 standards. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein said service management center communicates with a service client / server (SC / S) as a separate WTRU. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the service management center communicating with at least one of the first and second networks via an intermediate network. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the service management center communicating with the first and second networks via an intermediate network. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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